Posted by MikeT23 on 4/9/2013 3:48:00 PM (view original):I have a buddy who is a Mets fan. He said "I'm gonna miss Shea Stadium." I said "Why? It's a goddam shithole. Maybe 2nd worst in the majors just ahead of Tropicana." He said "Yeah but it's the only shithole I've known. My dad took me to games there when I was a kid."

Do you think history and tradition was meaningful to him?

Exhibition Stadium!

Alas, they still tore it down. Because history and tradition didn't trump moving forward.

Pretty fitting comparison since that was all about the money.

And so is gay marriage.

Go on...I'm not following.

Remove benefits from the equation.

"OK, Mark and John. You can get married but there will be no cross medical coverage, SS benefits, no tax advantage, etc, etc. associated with said marriage."

OK, then you're fighting the same battle again. It's called marriage, but you're taking away benefits, which, again, is unequal.

So you agree that there would be less clamoring to be married from SS couples?

Posted by MikeT23 on 4/9/2013 3:48:00 PM (view original):I have a buddy who is a Mets fan. He said "I'm gonna miss Shea Stadium." I said "Why? It's a goddam shithole. Maybe 2nd worst in the majors just ahead of Tropicana." He said "Yeah but it's the only shithole I've known. My dad took me to games there when I was a kid."

Do you think history and tradition was meaningful to him?

Exhibition Stadium!

Alas, they still tore it down. Because history and tradition didn't trump moving forward.

Pretty fitting comparison since that was all about the money.

And so is gay marriage.

I would say that you speak for a portion, but not all. Very cynical view.

I, like you, knew I was with "the one", and would have been happy married or not married. She wanted marriage, bad. And not for money - trust me on that.

There is something about the ceremony of commitment, of bringing your friends and family together and proclaiming to them that you and another person have decided to be with each other forever. It is important, and not in a monetary sort of way.

Frankly, (speaking Canadian), you're common law after 3 yrs, 1 with a child, regardless of whether you're same sex or not. You can get the doe if that's your only aim without having to go through the ceremony.

Well, on that note, my first marriage was family and friends brought together and proclaiming to them that I and another person have decided to be with each other forever. Two good years, two bad years and a divorce.

My second marriage was in Vegas. At The Little Chapel by the Courthouse. I think the receptionist was our witness. It hasn't been all ice cream and candy but we passed our 12th year 4 months ago.

So much for the importance of declaring committment in front of family and friends.